Page 156 of Pretend You Love Me

I gasp. “It’s finished.”

“Record time. Well, not if you count the four years I spent not writing it.”

I shake my head. The cover is beautiful. I run my hands over it and read the title, “Fraternity.”

“It’s about brothers with a complicated relationship.”

I laugh. “Is it a memoir?”

He laughs and shakes his head. “No, it’s solidly fiction, but it helped me work through some of my issues with Hawk and my dad.”

“I can’t wait to read it.”

“Open it,” he says.

I carefully open it. As soon as I see the dedication page, I cover my mouth with my hand. It reads:

For Ginger,

Without you, I would never have written this book. I doubt I ever would have written anything again. You helped me move forward when I was stuck, and I will be forever grateful. You mean more to me than I could ever express in words.

I love you.

I love you more than words can express. I love you with every fiber of my body and every thought that passes through my brain.

No matter what happens in the future, I will always love you. Thank you for all the ways you’ve changed my life for the better.

GMGF

My heart is shuttering, but I let out a shocked laugh. “Did you sign it Grumpy McGrumpface?”

He’s laughing now too. “I wouldn’t tell my editors what it stood for.”

I’m doubled over laughing, tears forming at the corners of my eyes. I shake my head. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“I knew it would make you laugh.”

I stop laughing and look down at the page again. I reread everything and then I say, “I love you too.”

I’ll never forget the look on his face when our eyes meet. It makes my insides want to burst with joy. He takes my face in his hands and kisses softly.

“I love you so much,” he whispers.

We lose ourselves for a moment, and then reality starts to creep its way into my brain. I push back.

“What’s wrong?” His eyes are full of worry.

“What are we doing?”I ask.

“What do you mean? What are we doing?” His voice is growing louder.

“Calm down, grumpy.”

He snorts.

“Did you forget we live 4,000 miles from each other? That’s going to be one heck of a long distance relationship? Not to mention...”I don’t even want to finish this thought.“What are we going to do about custody?’

He puts his hands on my shoulders and says, “I don’t live 4000 miles away.”